Gossett to host reception for recently freed Ethiopian legislators

Metropolitan King County Council Chair Larry Gossett will host a public reception to welcome members of the Ethiopian parliament to Seattle this coming Friday. The legislators were political prisoners recently freed from two years in prison and are on a tour to thank supporters.

The reception will be held:

Friday, October 5
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
King County Council Chambers
King County Courthouse, 10^th floor
516 Third Avenue, Seattle

The four members of parliament (MP’s) and a mayor are part of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), a pro-democracy coalition that won at least 20 percent of seats in the House of People's Representatives in the disputed 2005 general elections. Following the elections, opposition parties charged Prime Minister Meles Zenawi with vote-rigging and initiated widespread protests.

The following unrest resulted in the deaths of at least 193 civilians and six police officers, according to a parliamentary inquiry. Nearly 30,000 were also arrested, though most were released a short time later. Many political leaders of the CUD, including all five members of the visiting delegation, were imprisoned for longer periods. Berhanu Nega, for example, was elected mayor of the capital city Addis Ababa in the general election, but was imprisoned for 20 months.

Councilmember Gossett last year signed a letter urging Congress to exert pressure on Zenawi to free political prisoners and relinquish power. The CUD credits a widespread international campaign for the eventual release of political prisoners. However, the political status of the CUD within Ethiopia is still unclear. For instance, it is unclear whether the party is allowed to hold demonstrations and public forums.

The CUD delegation is currently touring Europe and America to build support for their democratic movement in Ethiopia and to thank those who supported them during their incarceration. They plan to visit a variety of cities with significant Ethiopian-American populations. Last month, they lobbied federal officials in Washington, D.C.

The members of the delegation are:

• Birtukan Mideksa, elected MP and First Vice-Chairperson of the CUD
• Dr. Hailu Araaya, elected MP and spokesperson of the CUD
• Dr. Birhanu Nega, elected mayor of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Gizachew Shiferaw, elected MP and Head of Orgainzational Affairs for the CUD
• Birook Kebede, elected MP